AFC Bournemouth sign goalkeeper Asmir Begovic

AFC Bournemouth have signed goalkeeper Asmir Begović from Chelsea on a ‘long-term deal’ for a reported fee of £10 million.The deal is set to become official on July 1.

The 29-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined Chelsea in the summer of 2015 from Stoke City for a fee of £8 million but has only managed a total of 33 appearances since as Thibaut Courtois was preferred as the first-choice keeper.

Nonetheless, Begović enjoyed a memorable 2016-17 season as Chelsea won the Premier League.

Back in 2007, Begović enjoyed a brief spell with the Cherries when they signed him on loan from Portsmouth. He made a total of eight appearances before returning to his parent club.

Speaking after putting pen to paper, Begović said:

“AFC Bournemouth is an exciting, ambitious club which has everything in place for a very bright future,”
“I’m really excited to be part of the journey here and hope I can help take the club to another level.”

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe heaped praise saying:

“Asmir is an outstanding goalkeeper who has proved himself capable of performing at the highest level over a number of years.”
“Asmir will provide great competition to the excellent group of goalkeepers we already have here and his experience will prove invaluable in the dressing room and on the pitch.”

Bournemouth’s current first-choice keeper Artur Boruc, 37, has a deal until the summer of 2018 after triggering an appearance clause in his contract and in Begović, he will face a stern competition for the first spot.

Do you dream to become a Journalist, here is your chance- You can also be the ‘Special Correspondent’ of LNTUP. Send your articles or news reports about football in any part of the world via E-mail. LNTUP will review your article and publish it under your name.